Three Spartans were named to the First-Team All-Big Ten, the most since 2008.

Nov. 14, 2013

EAST LANSING, Mich. - A total of seven members of the Michigan State men's soccer team receivedpostseason honors from the Big Ten, as announced by the conference office on Thursday. Tim Kreutz, Jay Chapman and Kevin Cope were all named First-Team All-Big Ten, while Adam Montague received Second-Team All-Big Ten honors. Andrew Herr and Dewey Lewis were both named to the All-Freshman Team and Wesley Curtis was MSU's Sportsmanship Award recipient.

"I thought all of our players were very deserving of the awards," said head coach Damon Rensing. "Certainly Kevin was a unanimous First-Team All-Big Ten selection and I think that speaks to not only how he played this year as one of the best center backs in the country, but how his career has been here at Michigan State. It was good to see Jay and Tim receive their honors. It's always nice to get individual awards, but I think it's a reflection of our team. I like this group. We're excited for Friday to play Northwestern, and looking forward to the rest of the season."

Redshirt junior Tim Kreutz has been a force on the MSU offense and leads the Big Ten in shots with 57. His 20 points on the season, made up of eight goals and four assists, ties him for second-most in the conference. It is the first postseason conference honor, though he was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 11 after scoring his third game-winning goal to give the Spartans a 3-2 double-overtime win at defending NCAA Champions Indiana.

Holding down the Spartan midfield, sophomore Jay Chapman has been a stalwart for Michigan State all season. Starting every game, Chapman is tied for second in the Big Ten with seven assists. Along with two goals, both of which were game-winners, he has tallied 11 points this season. Chapman received conference honors last season as he was named to the All-Freshman team.

As two-time captain and key member of the Spartan backline, redshirt senior Kevin Cope was unanimously voted First-Team All-Big Ten. Despite missing five games, Cope played a major role in helping MSU earn 10 shutouts this season. Recording one career goal prior to 2013, Cope has scored two goals this season. He has also helped Michigan State lead the Big Ten in fewest goals allowed with 14 and goals against average (0.73). Cope, who has the 2009 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten last season.

Representing the Spartans on the Second-Team All-Big Ten, redshirt junior Adam Montague has received All-Big Ten honors each of his three seasons as a Spartan. Though he has missed the last five games with an injury, he leads the conference with an average of 3.85 shots per game. He scored four goals this season, adding to his five assists, to total 13 points. He was also named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career on Oct. 7, after scoring his second game-winning goal in as many games with a header in the final minute of double-overtime at Northwestern.

Redshirt freshman Andrew Herr has been a stand out for MSU, starting all but one game this season. He has played a major role in the Spartan midfield after missing the 2012 season with an injury.

Making an impact for the Spartan right out the gate, true freshman Dewey Lewis scored his first career goal in MSU's opener against Western Michigan. He has since been a major contributor to the Spartan offense, adding another goal and seven assists for a total of 11 points on the season.

Receiving the team's Sportsmanship Award was senior Wesley Curtis. After battling injuries, Curtis made his first start in the 2-0 shutout win over in-state rival Michigan to bring home the Big Bear Trophy.

Three players named to the First-Team All-Big Ten is the most since 2008, and the second most all-time. In total, 28 Spartans have been named to the First-Team All-Big Ten, including Adam Montague in 2012, and 42 Spartans have received Second Team All-Big Ten honors, including Kevin Cope in 2012. Jay Chapman and Zach Bennett were both named to the 2012 All-Freshman team to improve MSU's all-time total to 12.

The Spartans will face Northwestern in the semifinal of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday, Nov. 15 at 2:30 p.m.